WISCONSIN RAPIDS, Wis., February 20, 2007 – Stora Enso today announces that it has joined a wide range of companies and organizations from around the world to endorse The Path to Climate Sustainability: A Joint Statement by the Global Roundtable on Climate Change. This post-Kyoto framework lays out a strategy for action in meeting the challenges of climate change, with a focus on creating sustainable energy systems necessary for sustaining economic growth.
The statement specifically calls on governments to:
- Set scientifically informed targets for global greenhouse gas concentrations, including ambitious but achievable interim goals for CO2, and to take immediate action in pursuit of those targets;
- Develop mechanisms that place a price on carbon emissions that is reasonably consistent internationally and across sectors in order to reward efficiency and emission avoidance and encourage innovation;
- Establish policy initiatives to address energy efficiency and decarbonization in all sectors;
- Encourage the development and rapid deployment of low-emitting and zero-emitting energy and transportation technologies; and
- Provide incentives to reduce emissions from deforestation and harmful land management practices; as well as other related actions.
“Stora Enso North America Corp. supports the Global Roundtable on Climate Change statement, which outlines a proactive strategy for global actions to minimize the effects of climate change consistent with the need to maintain economic growth and sustainable development,” says Jim Weinbauer, senior vice president-director, Stora Enso Environment. “Stora Enso is committed to supporting this strategy in global forums and is taking actions to contribute to mitigating climate change.”
The Climate Change Statement has received endorsements from key stakeholders and independent experts, including leading corporations from all economic sectors; smaller firms with very different perspectives and concerns; civil, religious, environmental, research and educational institutions; and noted experts from the fields of climate science, engineering, economics and policy studies.
In addition to Stora Enso North American Corp., signatories include Air France, Alcoa, Allianz, Bayer, China Renewable Energy Industry Association, Citigroup, Electricity Generating Authority of Thailand, Eni, Eskom, Florida Power & Light Group, General Electric, Iberdrola, ING, Interface, Munich Re, NRG Energy, Patagonia, Ricoh, Rolls Royce, Suntech Power, Vattenfall, Volvo, World Council of Churches, World Petroleum Council and many others.
An initiative of The Earth Institute at Columbia University, the Global Roundtable on Climate Change (www.earthinstitute.columbia.edu/grocc) has since 2004 convened more than 100 stakeholders and experts twice a year to explore areas of potential consensus regarding core scientific, technological, and economic issues critical to shaping public policies on climate change. This joint statement is an outcome of these dialogues, and was built on discussion over the past three years.
"Leaders from key economic sectors and regions of the world have reached a consensus on the path forward to reduce human-made climate change," says Jeffrey D. Sachs, chair of the Global Roundtable on Climate Change and director of The Earth Institute at Columbia University. "This initiative points the way to an urgently needed global framework for action. I congratulate the roundtable signatories, and thank them for their bold leadership and contribution to global progress on this critical issue."